The Widow's Secret (24 page)
Read The Widow's Secret Online
Authors: Sara Mitchell
Dear Reader,
As I write this letter to you, the bright June morning has been steadily encroached upon by a line of summer storm clouds. We might be treated to a ripsnorter of a thunderstormâor the clouds might blow away. In our little corner of northern Virginia, one learns not to make absolute predictions about anything concerning the weather.
In
The Widow's Secret,
Jocelyn makes the mistake of believing that life bears no resemblance to those summer storm clouds: she is absolutely convinced that she is doomed to live out the rest of her days in isolation, crushed beneath the weight of the past. Micah, on the other hand, believes with absolute confidence that his faith has been tested, and he is now strong enough to lay the past aside. Though in opposite corners spiritually, he and Jocelyn eventually come to realize that God loves the noble person of faith no less than he loves the embittered soul who spits in His eye. We are all fallen, all forgiven, and need only to scrape together enough faith to choose Him. To take the path, toward forgiveness. Toward restoration. Toward Jesus.
I'm sure it is no surprise to discover that both Jocelyn and Micah make the right choice, but I hope you enjoy watching them change and grow.
May
The Widow's Secret
offer you a moment or two of respite from your cares and burdens. I pray that Jocelyn and
Micah's journey from heartbreak and secrecy into light and love and life might allow you to discover, as well, how very much you are loved by God.
I love hearing from my readers. Please drop me a line or visit my Web site, www.SaraMitchellBooks.com.
Wishing you joy,
- Arranged marriages were still common in the late nineteenth century. Why did Jocelyn feel compelled to marry Chadwick Bingham?
- A certain object plays a vital role in the story. What is the object and what is its role?
- Jocelyn's secret controlled her life for ten years. How did this manifest itself in her personality and her perceptions of others? Have you ever struggled with a secret you were afraid to reveal? How did it change your life?
- Jocelyn's maid and companion, Katya, is a mute. Were you surprised by Jocelyn's relationship with this young woman? Have you ever known someone with a disability? How were they treated by the people around them?
- Jocelyn has turned her back on God and renounced her faith because of what has happened to her. Have you ever been tempted to do the same? Do you feel that Jocelyn's anger and bitterness toward God are justified?
- Micah's staunch faith, despite the heartbreaking tragedies in his own life, annoys Jocelyn when they first meet again. What is Micah's response to her attitude? Do you think it was the right choice? Why or why not?
- The Panic of 1893 resulted in widespread financial disaster, and many people like the Schullers lost everything. Compare their circumstances to America today,
and contrast the resources available in the twenty-first century to people who lose their homes and their livelihood. - The Secret Service did not officially include presidential protection as part of its duties until 1902. How difficult was it to envision Micah as a United States Secret Service operative whose sole job was to track down counterfeiters, instead of protecting the president?
- Jocelyn's journey back to her faith was helped by the unwavering examples of two people, one of them Micah. Who was the other person? Discuss the differences between living your faith and only sharing faith verbally.
- All human beings of faith grapple with the issue of “when bad things happen to good people.” When Micah's faith is again tested, he finally faces what he considers his spiritual arrogance. What do you think this means? Could you identify with him?
- Micah's epiphany occurs when he finally cries out a question to God. Do you agree that this question is inevitable? Why or why not? How have you reconciled the unfairness of life?
- Jocelyn is a beautiful woman, but she doesn't see herself as beautiful because of the words and actions of others. How difficult is it to see yourself through God's eyes, instead of the world's?
- When the members of the counterfeiting ring are revealed, were you surprised? Why or why not?
- When Jocelyn's secret is finally revealed, what was your reaction? Would her life have been different if she had lived in the twenty-first century instead of the 1890s?
ISBN: 9781408937990
The Widow's Secret
© Sara Mitchell 2009
First Published in Great Britain in 2009
Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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